Radiator



P 1932- A. G. WAHLBERG v 1,875,681

RADIATOR Filed Dec. 18, 1929 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Sept-6, 1932. A. G. WAHLBERG 1,875,681

' RADIATOR I Filed Dec. 18, 1929 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Sept. 6, 19321 A. G. WAHLBERG 1,875,681

RADIATOR Filed Dec. 18, 1929 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 @w w? w Patented Sept. 6, 1932 UNITED STATES ALFRED G. 'WAHLBEBG, OF D'UL'U'IHQMINNESOTA RADIATOR Application filed December 18, 1929. Serial No. 414,887.

This invention relates to improvements in radiators. v

One object of the invention is to provide a simple and efficient heating unit including a radiator mounted in a casing having an air intake opening atthe bottom and an outlet opening at the top, above the radiator to provide for circulation of the air about the radiator, and wherein a humidifying unit is combined with the radiator.

A further object of'the inventionis to provide a heating unit of the character indicated in the preceding paragraph wherein the radiator includes a hollow core provided with fins in the form of relatively light sheet metal plate members which are telescoped over the core member, which they closely fit, and to which they are tightly held by wedging engagement therewith.

Another object of the invention is to provide in connection with a radiator forming a part of a heating unit of the character-indicated, a humidifying device which forms a part of the radiator "structure, wherein means is embodied for automatically providing a constant supply of water to be vaporized by the heat of the radiator for humidifying purposes.

A still further object of the invention is to provide, in connection with the humiditying device of the character described in the "preceding paragraph combined with a radiator, an arrangement for'preheatmg the water supplied to the heated humidifying device of the radiator.

4 Other objects of the invention will more clearly appear from the description ,and claims hereinafter following. I

In the' drawings, forming a part of this specification, Figure 1 is a longitudinal, vertical, sectional view through a heating unit embodying my invention. Figure 2 is a vertical, sectional view in a plane substantially at right angles to Figure 1. Figure 3 is a f transverse, vertical, sectional view through a heating unit of another embodiment of the invention' Figure 4 is a top plan viewof a radiator embodying my improvements and especially designed for use in connection with p the heating unit shown in Figures 1 and 2. Figure 5 is a part longitudinal, vertical, sectional view andpart side elevational view of the radiator illustrated in Figure 4, the sectional portions of the view corresponding to the line 55 of Figure 4. Figure 6 is a transverse, vertical sectional view corresponding substantially to the line 6 -6 of Figure5, Figure 7 is a detailed perspective view of a fin member employed in connection with the radiator shown in Figures 4:, 5 and 6. Figure 8 is a longitudinal, vertical, sectional view of one end of a modified form of radiator illustrated diagrammatically in the embodiment of the invention shown in Figure '3. And Figure9 is a transverse; vertical, sectional view corresponding to the line 9-9 of Fig ure 8.

Referring first to the embodiment of the invention illustrated in Figures 1, 2, and 4 to 7, inclusive, A designates the sheet metal casing of the heating unit, within which are mounted radiators B,-forced draft fans C-C and a-motor D. The casing A is of substantially rectangular box-like form, having an air inlet opening at the bottom and a plurality of outlet openings F at the top. As will be understood, the heated air passing out of the casing is conducted to the room or apartment to be heated. The blowers C are located at the bottom of the casing and are of well known.

design, drawing the air through the inlet opening E by suction and forcing the same upwardly through the, casing. The blowers are driven by the motor D in the usual manner. Immediately above the blowers, a filter G is located through which the air is forced. The radiators B-B are two in number and are located above the filter Gr, dampers H, K and K being employed between the filter and the. radiators to regulate the flow of air in a well-known manner, either to pass the air directly through the radiators or to by-passthe radiator. The radiators B are of like design. As clearly illustrated in Figures 4, 5, 6 and 7,

each radiator includes a core 10 having a feed by providing a core member of substantially wedge-shaped cross section. The top wall is spaced from the upper ends of the side walls 13, thereby providing a longitudinally extending trough-like chamber 17 within the top of the core. The chamber 17 is closed at the front and rear ends by the upwardly extending portions of the front and rear ends walls 14 of the core. The supply inlet pipe 11 communicates with the core at one end, as-

clearly shown in Figure 2 and the drain or return pipe 12 communicates with the interior of the core at the other end thereof. The circulation through the core'is thus produced in the usual manner, the heating mev dium employed being either steam or hot wa :m ter. The core member 10 is preferably provided with a plurality of fins 18 which are telescoped over the core and closely fit the same. Each fin 18 is in the form of a flat sheet metal plate, as clearly shown in Figures 6 and 7, having a central opening 19 of substantial- 1y wedge-shape outline to correspond to the contour of' the cross section of the core. The opening 19 is preferably of slightly larger size than the core. At the verticabouter edges, the plate-like member forming the fin has vertically disposed right angular flanges 20 having inturned outer edge portions 21. The walls of the 'opening 19 of each plate are also provided with flanges, the same being 5 indicated by 22.

As clearly shown 1n Figure 7, the flanges 22 extend lengthwise of the vertical side walls of the opening and along the curved lower wall portion 16 Centrally of the opening 19, at

7 the bottom wall thereof, the plate is cut away or notched as indicated at 23 to accommodate a certain locking member, hereinafter more.

- fully described.

The metal section formed by notching the plate is bent at right angles to the plate, thereby providing a relatively narrow supporting shelf or lip 24. Thefianges 22', as shown in F1gure7, also extend a short distance along the top wall of the opening-19 at each side no thereof, a space 25'being .left between the inner ends of these flanges. The space 25 7 corresponds substantially to the spacing between the inner faces of the side walls 13 ofthe core at the upper end thereof.

66 The plate-like fin members 18 are telescoped 5 upon the core, as clearly indicated in Figures 4 and 5, the core beingaccommodated within the openings 19 thereof. The inturned portions of the flanges 20 of each fin bear on the plate-like portion of the next adjacent fin, thereby spacing the fins apart so as to provide aplurality of vertically arranged air passages between the fins to permit upward circulation of the air about the core and fins. .In order to clamp the fins to the core, a locking rod 26 is interposed between the bottom of the core and the shelf members 24 of the fins, the rod being accommodated in the notches 23. The rod 26 is of such a size that when the ,same is forced between the core and the fins, the fins will be urged downwardly so as to effect a.

wedging engagement betweenthe same and the core. The horizontal sections at the upper ends of the flanges 22 of the fins engage over the upper ends of the side walls 13, the opening 25 between the inner ends of these flange portions registering with the opening at the top of the trough 17.

The humidifying chamber 17 at the top of the'core is thus housed within the radiator and is entirely surrounded by the fin members. The spaced fin members provide a plurality of vertically disposed flue-like members above the trough through which the vaporized moisture may pass. D 7

I preferably provide a constant supply of water for the trough-17 for humidifying-purposes. As shown in Figures 4: and 5, a horizontally disposed pipe 27 extends into the trough, the same being supported at the right hand end, as viewed in Figure 5 by a bracket 28. The other end of the pipe 27 extends through a stuffing box 29 threaded in an opening 30 in the wall at the corresponding end of the trough 17. The stufling box 29 is of the usual form having a screw threaded cap member 31, which surrounds the pipe 27 and serves to compress packing 32 interposed between the cap and the stufiing box proper.

-The pipe 27 communicates with a vertically disposed pipe section 33 which communicates with any convenient source of water supply. The pipe 33 preferably extends through the supply or feed pipe 11 of the radiator, where'- by the water flowing through the pipe 33 will be preheated. In order to prevent leakage, the elbow, which connects the pipe 11 to the radiator, is provided with a stufling box member 34 which surrounds the pipe 33.

V In order to distribute the water evenly throughout the'length of the trough 17, the pipe 27 is provided with a plurality of perforations 35 throughout the length thereof. As will be understood, the pipe 27 is closed at the right hand end, as viewed in Figures 4 and 5. In order to drain ofi any excess of water which might collect in the humidifying chamber 17, a drain pipe 36is provided,

. which communicates with the chamber at the right hand end thereof, as shown in Figures 4 and .5, the pipe 36 having a section thereof screw threaded within an opening 37 provided in theend wall of the trough.

, In the operation of my improved heating unit, as illustrated in Figures 1,2 and 4 to 7, inclusive, the trough-like huniidifying chamber of the radiator will be constantly heated through the heating medium within the hollow core section of the radiator, the heat being transmitted to theair passing through the casing A by the walls of the core and the radiating fins mounted thereon. The water for humidifying purposes is fed constantly through the supply pipe 33 to the pipe 27 by which it is sprayed on the heated walls of the humidifying chamber, thus being vaporized. In case the amount of water supplied for humidifying purposes exceeds the amount vaporized, the excess will be taken care of by overflow through thedrain 36.

Referring next to the embodiment of the invention, illustrated in Figures 3, 8 and 9, A indicates a substantially rectangular sheet metal casing in which a radiator B is mounted, the radiator being spaced above the bottom of the casing and/ an 'air inlet opening E being located in the side wall of the casing below the radiator. At the upper end of the casing, the side wall is provided with an air outlet opening F which is located above the radiator. The casingA' is designed to be placed in the room to be heated and the air circulates therethrough due to being heated by the radiatonB, the cold air entering through the opening E and the heated air leaving through the opening F. The radiator B which is shown in detail in Figures 8 and 9 is provided with a core and trough substantially the same as illustrated in Figures 4.- to 7, inclusive. However, in the form of the invention illustrated in Figures 8 and 9, the fin members are formed integral with the core. The core, which is indicated by 38, is in. the form of a casting having a pluralityof fin members 3939 extending therefrom. The vaporizing humidifying trough is indicated by 40 and is supplied with water by-means of a pipe 41 which has a section 42 thereof extending through the inlet or supply pipe 43 of the radiator. As

" shown in Figure 8, the supply pipe 41 has the section thereof which is disposed within the trough 40 ofiset downwardly, so that the pipe will clear the end wall of the trough. In operation, the radiator shown in Figures 8 and 9 is substantially the same as that of the radiator illustrated in Figures 4 to 7, inclusive. The casing A, within which the radiator B is disposed, cooperates with thefins of the radiator to produce a flue-like effeet for the upwardly moving currents of air and thus increases the efliciency and economy of operation of'the heating unit and the humidifier. As will be evident, either of the two forms of radiators'B and B, shownin As will be evident to those skilled in the art, my improved heating arrangement, in both modifications illustrated, is of the socalled indirect. heating type, that is, heating of the room is accomplished by convection and not by any appreciable amount of so-called direct radiation. wise, the air passing through the flue-like passages .provided by the fins is heated and the heated air then passes through the outlet of the casing to mingle with the air of the room. It will also be observed that the currents of air moving vertically upward through the flue-like passages referred to, pass the mouth of the humidifying chamber when the airhas been heated to its greatest extent, thus accelerating vaporizing of the water in the humidifying chamber and the heated air at the same time being most efliciently and uniformly conditioned before the air leaves thecasing to mingle with the air of the room.

I have herein shown and described what I now consider the preferred manner of carrying out my invention, but the same is mere ber above said top wall; longitudinally 7 spaced fins extending laterally from each of said side walls and extending also vertically upwardly above said top wall whereby to provide a plurality of vertical passages between the fins along each side of said member for the heated currents of air to pass upwardly beyond the open mouth of the hu- Stated, othermidifying chamber; and means for supply- .ing a heating medium to said heat-medium retaining chamber. o

' 2. In a combined heating and humidifying arrangement of the character described, the

combination with a relatively elongatedcasting having integrally formed vertical end walls, side walls, spaced fins extending laterally from the side walls, and a-top wall between the side and end walls and disposed below the top edges of theside and end Walls whereby to provide an enclosed heat-medium retaining chamber below said top wall and an open mouth humidifying chamber above day ofDec.

said top W311, the upper edges of said fins I being disposed flush with the uper edges of the side and end wallsyof means for supplying a heating medium to said'h'eat-medium retaining chamber; said side Walls and fins forming vertical passages for currents of air which are heated while rising vertically between said fins, the heated currents of air passing the open mouth of the humidifying I chamber.

In Witness that I claim the foregoin I have hereuntlo subscribed my name this %th ALFRED WAHLBERG. 

